Discover a little of me: Crafts, Recipes, & Poetry.

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DIY Natural Room Scents – If you know me, you know that I LOVE me some scents! Candles, Scentsy, etc. (even those wonderful cinnamon scented pine cones you can get at the grocery store!). If it smells good, it’s either going straight to my nose or somewhere in my house. So it comes to no surprise that the moment I saw these wonderful natural room scents on Pinterest, I could not resist making them!

The wonderful thing about these room scents is that they are ALL Natural ingredients found within your pantry. There is nothing artificial about them. I mean, who really knows how many artificial/toxic ingredients goes into these so-called air-fresheners!? Trust me, you will find these wonderful concoctions a breath of fresh air – literally!

What also makes these wonderful is the fact that they actually smell fantastic. All you do is simmer the ingredients in a pot, and your house will fill with wonderful, natural homemade scents! You will feel accomplished in the fact that you created the wonderful scent!

Let this recipe give you the freedom to be creative! There are no limits, you are free to add other scents and make it your own! I decided to get extra creative and put the scents within decorated mason jars. Just a little ribbon and decals can go a long way! They make great gifts, which is what I did my making each jar personal by adding my friend’s name on the jar. So many possibilities!

1 tsp – Vanilla Extract (I used imitation, since its cheaper and you’re not eating it!)

3 or 4 – Star Anise (You can find this in the spice section)

1 – Small Mason Jar ( You can find these cheap at the dollar store!)

DIY Natural Room Scents – Lemon Mint

1 – Lemon (Sliced)

1 – Cinnamon Stick

7 or 8 – Fresh Mint Leaves

1 tsp – Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

Slice up your orange to the size of your choice and then add the slices to your jar.

Add your spices and vanilla extract.

Fill the jar to the rim with cold water.

Pour ingredients into a small pot.

Bring to a boil then simmer and allow the steam to flow through your house!

Be sure to keep an eye on the water level as it will run out and may need more.

Storage:

After heating, simply pour back into your jar. You can get several more uses of scents before they begin to fall apart.

They can store well in the fridge from 2 weeks to a month in the fridge because being heated. After heated, you’ve got a couple of days.

They also freeze well if you want to store them long-term!

Of course you are free to add more or less of the ingredients, depending on how strong you want your scent to be! You can find plenty of other variations on the web, or you can experiment and make your own. My favorite is the Orange Spice! It is strong and can be easily used again.

P.S. If you haven’t noticed, I’ve taken a significant break from blogging. I haven’t stopped cooking, baking, being crafty, writing poetry or been at a creative dead-end. I’ve just taken a break from publishing it to the world and have taken some time to enjoy things just to myself. Okay..let’s be honest, I got a little burnt out on my blog! Hopefully it was only a phase. I’ll be back posting weekly again soon! Miss you! xoxo

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A quick update! I hope none of you think I’ve abandoned Delightful Discoveries, I know it has been awhile since I’ve posted on here. All I can tell you is..you can’t rush inspiration or creativity. I am not going to post a project that my heart isn’t in; if I did, it would be crap. This blog is not something I plan to quit (I care about it too much, it being a major creative outlet for myself), but a necessary break I will take from time to time.

Until my creative juices come back in full force, take a page ripped straight from my heart with this poem I just wrote:

Wasted Tears, Wasted Years.

Once upon a day I still cannot believe,
The moment you came back was the end for you and me.
Now looking back, how could I be so naive?
Beyond the lies, the truth I now see.

If only I knew then, what I knew now,
If only I could have been stronger somehow.
For you I fear I’ve wasted too many tears,
For too long I have wasted too many years.

The tables turned when you came crawling back,
Letting you back in was a mistake, that is a fact.
Lessons I learned, the less I yearned,
An end we won’t find without being burned.

You can cry on calendars, but it won’t turn back time.
All I gave to you, will never again be mine.
Our love once a lullaby, now a haunting nursery rhyme.
How could I be so naive?
How could I miss the signs?

What now seems so crystal clear,
Apart from you is what I seem to fear.
So let us keep up with these wasted tears,
This river we ride through the wasted years.

Yes, this is me.

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I recently attended the Valley Greek Festival which took place at the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church located within the San Fernando Valley. This event invites the public to be immersed within a Greek cultural experience with live music, dancing, a Greek market, cooking demonstrations, and of course the centerpiece..eating various types of authentic Greek cuisine.
The Valley Greek Festival does well to create an authentic Greek experience, where the guests literally feel like that are at some far away festival in Greece. The music enhances the atmosphere and gets the crowd into a festive mood, while dancers dressed in their traditional outfits perform to enthused crowds. The Greek Market is also a crowd-pleaser where guests can leisurely shop around for Greek items and relate with venders. The festival also has cooking demonstrations where they can fully immerse guests within the Greek culture and show them how to cook authentic Greek cuisine.
Speaking of Greek Cuisine, food is by far the centerpiece of the festival. Like one would see children line up for rides at the amusement park, guests wait in long lines just to taste the incredible flavor of various authentic Greek cuisine. While most of the names of the foods could not be pronounced, the flavors were fantastic. While some dishes needed to be approached with an open mind, guests are surely wowed by the Greek cuisine.
So lets talk food! There was a wide variety of authentic Greek dishes at the event which could almost be slightly overwhelming, so I decided to start with the comfortable calamari. Deep-fried to perfection, the calamari had wonderful flavor with added spices and of course lemon-juice.
I then worked up some courage to try the Pork Souvlaki, which is just marinated beef that is skewered and barbecued, as well as barbecued lamb chops. Both were mouth-watering and full of incredible flavor, as we watched them being grilled to perfection. While there were many of dishes that I cannot not pronounce, I became too full to try all of them.
I quickly moved to desert when I spied a delightful dish called Loukoumathes, also known as “Greek Donuts” that are deep-fried and then covered in honey and cinnamon. I can honestly say that out of all the food at the festival, these were my favorite. My mouth was drooling as I watch the cooks take the small donuts fresh out of the deep-fryer and on to my plate.
Since we are talking about desert, I cannot forget the mention the various traditional Greek pastries sold around the festival. Once again, the names can be tongue-twisters and the look can be a little frightening, but when in Greece you have to keep an open mind. We decided to try three different types of pastries: Baklava, Kourambiethes, and Kataifi. The Baklava was my favorite and featured very rich and nutty flavors.
While the food was all fantastic, the festival also provided tours of the nearby church. The church I found was absolutely breath-taking with the various portraits, stain-class artwork, murals, and statues. It also provided a welcoming peace and calm from the fast-pace festival outside.
Overall, the Valley Greek Festival was an exciting and memorable event; I felt as if I was in the middle of a Greek festival in Athens. Not only were the dishes delightfully delicious, but the venders were very welcoming and did well to immerse the guests in a traditional Greek cultural experience.

First off, let me describe this new category Delightful Destinations. Being an explorer and lover of traveling and discovering enchanting destinations, I thought it would be wonderful sub-section to my blog to detail my various explorations and discoveries of the beautiful Southern California. Since I am currently studying the tourism industry and looking to work within it soon, it would only seem improper to not portray my love for traveling through Delightful Discoveries.
There are so many different destinations within Southern California, particularly surrounding the Los Angeles area. I recently traveled a short 20 minutes from my home in the San Fernando Valley to the magical Descanso Gardens, located in Glendale, CA. To this destination, I was accompanied by my great friend and room-mate Christopher James Sigman, who took all of the breath-taking photos of the gardens.

Words cannot describe how beautiful I found the Descanso Gardens. When your living deep within the concrete jungle of Los Angeles, you tend to lose sight of the beauty that can be seen within the wilderness. When deep within the gardens, I felt like I was hundreds of miles away in some far away land that only existed within my imagination. But I was actually right in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world! These gardens give you that necessary escape from the constant fast pace of the city.

I did not expect the gardens to be so vast and enormous. There were several different sub-sections to the gardens such as, The Japanese Gardens, The Oak Forest and Grove, The California Native Area with surrounding lakes, Lilac and Iris Gardens, and of course the beautiful Rose Garden. I also did not expect to see the different types of wildlife present within the gardens!

All areas were simply breathtaking, but the Rose Garden was a special area that seemed straight out of a fairytale. There were fields of various types of flowers featured between well-kepted grassy walk-ways and sparkling clear creeks full of different types of fish. Enchanting trails lead to several fountains, waterfalls, and gazebos that were full of canopies of floral and greenery that gave off a beautiful aroma that only enhanced the experience.

Like I said, words cannot describe the true beauty of the Descanso Gardens. They offer a peaceful sanctuary that can be healing to anyone in need of an escape. Anyone within the Southern California area or looking to visit here, be sure to mark the magical Descanso Gardens on your list of things to do.

Lately I’ve been feeling like I’m not so pretty,
An invisible burnt out flame; it is such a pity.
This road not so revealing; trying to fight off this hurtful feeling.
It is my heart that you have been stealing;
This game of cat and mouse will leave us reeling.

I cannot understand why I end up where I do not want to be; at least as far as I can see.
A concrete jungle is where I lay my head to rest, but I dream of flowered fields at sunset.
This old soul an ancestor of the country-side; A young vessel cowering under the high-rise.
Gravel under my nails, as I fight to stay grounded; The wind that blows this dust to the sky.

The broken mirror reflects pale skin as white as snow; Like an old friend that I used to know.
A clear path not easily shown; An old soul still knows where to go.
Follow the golden curls of beautiful hair; A sister’s love that never dies.
Ancient history, I reflect sands in time, like a whisper from an old nursery rhyme.

One needs not to bury themselves under needless worry;
It comes to a pity that one could feel less pretty.
These games we play to keep us from forgetting.
You’ve been here before my dear; right now, it may not seem so clear.
An old soul there all along; your reflection in the mirror.

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I’ve been on this obsession to cook bread lately. When I moved into our new place a little over a month ago, the previous tenants had left a bread dish in the cupboard. Being still a young college student without many cooking utensils and baking equipment in the kitchen, I’ve never owned a “fancy” bread dish. Well I took advantage of someone’s trash and made it my treasure. Yes, if you’re wondering, I washed it first! 😛

I’ve utilized the bread dish by making several loaves of the best banana bread ever, and by request from a room-mate zucchini bread came to life. To be honest, I had never had zucchini bread. Do not ask me why, but zucchini + bread just did not seem like a compatible match to me. But, my room-mate insisted so of course, I gave in.

So, I browsed through a couple of recipes online until I stumbled upon a Lemon – Zucchini Bread. YEah, that sounds amazing doesn’t it? I was like…fresh? YEAH! Lemons = Fresh. The perfect way to spice up a traditional Zucchini bread. This also gave me the opportunity to let me rely on natural ingredients for fantastic flavor. There is so much flavor in lemons. The juice..and the ZEST! Zesting a lemon can be a wonderful experience. Not only does it bring beautiful bright color to your dish but it also brings a pleasant lemony aroma to your kitchen that is beyond refreshing.

Overall, this is a recipe I am so glad that I stumbled upon and will definitely be making it in the future. Oh, did I fail to mention it comes with a lemon glaze that is the perfect icing on the cake to this wonderful dish? 😉 Enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 Cups – Flour

2 Tsp – Baking Powder

1/2 Tsp – Salt

2 – Eggs

1/2 Cup – Vegetable Oil

2/3 Cup – Sugar

1/2 Cup – Buttermilk

Juice of 1 Lemon

Zest of 1 Lemon

1 Cup – Grated Zucchini

For the Glaze: Juice of 1 Lemon/ 1 Cup – Powdered Sugar

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350 Degrees & Grease your bread pan.

In a large bowl, mix your flour, salt, and baking powder.

In a medium bowl, beat 2 eggs then add in oil and sugar. Blend well.

Add in your buttermilk, lemon juice, lemon zest. Blend well.

Then fold in your grated zucchini!

Add this mixture to your dry ingredients and mix well, but don’t over-mix!

Pour your batter into the bread pan and bake for 45 minutes.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes.

While the bread is cooling, make your glaze.

In a small bowl, mix the juice of 1 lemon with a cup of powdered sugar.

The perfect side dish to any Mexican meal – this Cilantro Lime Rice really packs the punch with flavor. Many think of the traditional Spanish rice as the side dish of choice, but the Cilantro Lime is sure to become a new favorite. It has a fresh and exotic taste, with the cilantro and lime taking control of flavor, but not too over-powering. I paired it with some black beans for side dishes to my wonderful Chicken Tortilla Soup – what meal will you pair it with? 🙂

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In honor of this years Cinco de Mayo I cooked the amazing – Chicken Tortilla Soup. While this dish has always been a favorite of mine, I’ve never actually made it! You have to remember that I am still a cook in training (training myself ;), there is a lot of recipes I have not cooked! But to add another delicious creation to my list is what I am all about these days. This dish is not only one of my favorite soups, it is one of my favorite meals..period.

I made absolutely no short-cuts with this recipe. I spend a good couple hours on my feet in the kitchen, doing what all those true domestic divas do around the world everyday. While my feet were aching and hands sore from chopping, I loved every minute of this long process in the kitchen.

I also had a little liquid assistance 😉

While cooking this delicious recipe, I realized that cooking soups is probably one of my favorite types of dishes to make. I’m not sure why! Maybe it is the combination of various spices, herbs, and ingredients. Or maybe the smells that fill the household that just warm your soul and electrify your taste-buds. Or it could be the hearty warmth and taste..ya the savory taste of the soup could have a lot to do with it. Chicken Tortilla Soup does NOT disappoint on taste. Especially with this recipe!

Lets take a minute and talk about taste. Oh my. First off, it comes down to the spices. I will never buy another pre-mixture taco seasoning for the rest of my life. A combination of Cumin, Chili Powder, & Garlic Powder does the trick and packs a much better punch then whats in the packet (it’s also a much healthier option without all those added salts/sodium/& artificial flavors!). The heat and flavor that comes from this combination is so perfect.

Your chicken for the soup will love you when your rub them down with these spices!

As I make another soup I recognized that I’ve learned a few tricks along the way. For instance, ingredients like onion, garlic, or green pepper (fresh veggies ingredients) are like your foundation for flavor within a soup. Your spices and dry ingredients are your friends; use them when necessary and accordingly. Also, the lower the heat and slower the cooking..the better the taste!

Either way, my first effort at Chicken Tortilla Soup was a fantastic success. The mixture of spices, beans, herbs, veggies, and chicken bring a flavor that is really something. With this recipe I learned that with certain dishes..don’t make the shortcuts, taking the long way will bring the benefits (well, at least to your taste-buds!)

Oh, and P.S. Do not forget the toppings on this dish, they really add something to the flavor!

Ingredients:

3 – Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 1/2 Tsp – Cumin

1 Tsp – Chili Powder

1/2 Tsp – Garlic Powder

1/2 Tsp – Salt

1 Cup – Onion (chopped)

1/4 Cup – Green Pepper (chopped)

3 – Cloves Garlic (Minced)

1 Can – Tomatoes and Green Chilis

3 can – Chicken Broth

3 Tbs – Tomato Paste

3 Cups – Hot Water

2 Cans – Black Beans (drained)

5 – Corn Tortillas (cut into strips)

Garnish with: Tortilla Chips, Sour Cream, Cheese, & Cilantro

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 375, we gotta cook our chicken!

In a small bowl, mix together your cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt.

Season your chicken breasts with the mixture and drizzle them with vegetable oil on a baking sheet.

Now, I am not lying when I say it is the best. It really is! There are several…more like hundreds, of different variations when it comes to making banana bread. Being a lover of bread in general, I have used several different banana bread recipes.

Now, I know everyone believes that their recipe for banana bread is the best, but let me tell you.. I think I’ve got you beat! There is one special ingredient that goes into this recipe for fantastic banana bread..sour cream. This special and surprising ingredient brings this moist flavor and texture to the bread that makes it truly delicious! With just one special added ingredient..it makes this recipe for banana bread by far, the best!

Whether you serve it as a dessert, for breakfast with a little melted butter (I also add cinnamon & sugar), or just as a snack..this delicious loaf of banana bread is great to have on your counter. I also love this recipe because all of the ingredients are usually what you already have within your pantry, then just add some sour cream!

I had originally made this dish with the Apple Gorgonzola Salad I previously posted. It was weird because I was trying to craft a main dish to go with my side dish or appetizer. Now, the Apple Gorgonzola Salad was beyond amazing in flavor and had a fresh taste and look. I needed a dish that mirrored those qualities. I need fresh with flavor..Lemon Pepper Chicken? Sounds great! I also thought I would go my own way with this dish, instead of following a recipe (which I usually tweak and twist anyway because it just makes it more fun!).

I had to add Fresh to the title of this recipe, because that is simply what you think of with every bite. I guess juicy, zesty, and delicious would be appropriate too! Another reason why I added Fresh to the title is because I actually use fresh lemon zest and juice as a marinade for the chicken..not only will these fresh ingredients come out great in the chicken but they will make your kitchen smell lemony fresh! The chicken turned out to be a fantastic success.

Simplicity + Amazing Taste = Great Recipe for me!

Fresh Lemon Pepper Chicken is the answer to the equation above..I’ve never been any good at math but this makes perfect sense to me!
Wow your guests with this amazing, flavorful dish, with little effort from you in the kitchen! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup – Vegetable Oil

2 – Lemons

3 to 4 – Garlic Cloves (Finely Chopped)

1 Tsp – Ground Black Pepper

Salt

3 to 4 – Chicken Breasts

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees (or your grill).

In a large bowl, mix your oil with the zest of your lemons and the juice of one (reserve the other).

Mix in the chopped garlic and pepper. Whisk together well.

Salt your chicken then toss into the bowl and marinade for at least 15 minutes (the longer the better!!).

In a skillet heat about 2 tbs of oil over medium heat.

Sear your chicken in the pan for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until it starts to brown.

Place chicken onto a baking sheet and then into the oven and roast for about 8 to 10 minutes.

Do not overcook because you want to keep that juicy and lemony chicken flavor.

If grilling, cook for about 8 to 10 minutes on each side.

Squeeze the juice from the remaining lemon over the chicken (add a dash more of pepper), and then serve!